Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Bus operators want concession revised

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Private Bus Operators’ Federation has urged the Union government to withdraw the increase in price of petroleum products announced on Thursday.

The increase in diesel price cannot be justified in any way, and the decision will further burden citizens, especially motorists, its general secretary, Lawrence Babu, said in a statement.

Mr. Babu said the decision to increase the price of diesel by Re. 1 would lead to a loss of Rs. 200 crore daily to private bus operators in the State. The industry, which was in a crisis, could not withstand it.

Instead of increasing the prices of petrol and diesel, the federation said, the Centre should reduce the customs and excise duties and use the Rs. 4,000 crore collected as cess for it.

The federation would not demand revision of the bus fare. Mr. Babu said the State government should revise the concession in fare provided to students to protect the private bus industry.

The federation warned the government that it would be forced to stop bus services if the concession was not revised immediately.

The increase in prices of petrol and diesel has come in for strong criticism from various sections of society.

Revolutionary Socialist Party State secretary V.P. Ramakrishna Pillai described it as a betrayal of people. He said the government could have refrained from increasing the price by reducing the tax.

P.K. Krishnadas, BJP State president, said that his party would observe a protest day all over the State on Friday.

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